thrash metal

Idols Are Dead - Mean (SPV/Riot)

Italian rockers Idols Are Dead are lucky that I tend to ignore the promo stickers on album covers. Mentioning, amongst others, Metallica, Exodus and Megadeth, the band was definitely being set up for a fall; but luckily for them, their brand of metal hits hard and fast. More importantly, it has a real sense of rhythm and pace.

Mean, the debut album for Idols Are Dead, is short and sharp - just nine songs.

Arsis - Starve for the Devil (Nuclear Blast/Riot)

Arsis is back and they’re here to rock your bones and melt your face off! No further explanation required – this record ROCKS!

I remember when I first got into Arsis; I put on their (then) latest record, We Are The Nightmare and recall my jaw almost hitting the floor.

Immortal - All Shall Fall (Nuclear Blast/Riot)

One can hardly accuse the raw satanic power of Immortal for being the sole cause of stagnation in black metal, but in All Shall Fall, their nervous dip of the toe into the icy waters of progression sounds admirable, but dated.

Taking seven years off from a passion either renews it with verve or kills it completely.

Divine Eve - Vengeful and Obstinate (Ibex Moon)

Since I like to think I have some sort of integrity as a critic, I force myself to listen to any album, no matter how shit, at least three times, before writing an opinion about it. So every now and then, it's nice to get given an EP that goes for less than 20 minutes. This is not painful to listen to, mind you: just incredibly plain.

Divine Eve is one of those bands - like your local pub band of 20-somethings who've been together since high school - that gives the impression that it has completely mastered

Sonata Arctica and Ensiferum with Vanishing Point @ Billboard (Melbourne), 5 Jan 2010

Ripping down the trendy techno club from the walls, the all Finnish (well, almost) power metal extravaganza kicked its way around Melbourne, leaving Aussie metal punters craving more.
Event Reviewed: 
Sonata Arctica and Ensiferum with Vanishing Point @ Billboard (Melbourne), 5 Jan 2010

On the weekends, Billboard the Venue turns into Billboard the horrible dance party.

Lamb of God, DevilDriver, Shadows Fall and High on Fire @ Festival Hall (Melbourne) 15 Dec 09

Festy Hall once again hosted a mini-American festival Down Under, brimming with hot, sticky and hungry-for-metal maniacs. Oh, and let's not forget Metal Santa...
Event Reviewed: 
Lamb of God with DevilDriver, Shadows Fall and High on Fire @ Festival Hall (Melbourne) 15 Dec 09

Built some time in the 70s, Festival Hall has played host to countless metal acts over the years, leaving it a little worse for wear - cream colored ceilings, ancient creaky seats and wooden floors

Frank Bello of Anthrax and the Melting Pot of Metal

An album that's been six arduous years in the making, a band with a revolving door of vocalists - there hasn't been much light for Anthrax recently. But now revitalised, bassist Frank Bello is feeling only one thing; excitement.

If there's one thing that veteran Anthrax bassist Frank Bello is feeling, its excitement. Pure, unadulterated excitement. Why wouldn't you?

Havok – Burn (Candlelight/Earsplit)

Another thrash workout from new kids revelling in the days of olde, as US band Havok unleash their debut effort.

With Burn, Denver thrash metal outfit Havok (not to be confused with the Swedish death metallers of the same name) have released a blistering twelve track album (ok - 11 a

Savage Messiah - Insurrection Rising (Candlelight/Earsplit)

Guitar work that will make you drawl, riffs that will make your head bang, songs that will make you punch the air – UK band Savage Messiah have put together a near-flawless thrash metal classic!

Savage Messiah’s second album Insurrection Rising, their first on Candlelight, screams old school thrash metal.